Is born into a Scottish family. His father, Andrew, is a former first-class cricketer. Earns the nickname Little Dog because of his queer-sounding lbw appeals; his brother Peter is Big Dog.

1953

Three figures in short pants

At age nine, he takes all 10 wickets and scores 117 (111 out of 120 at one point) for Grey High School. Agrees to go and collect the ball himself after one of his sixes ends in a nearby cemetery.

December 9, 1960

First-class cricketer in the summer hols

In a career distinguished by the precociousness, Pollock makes his first-class debut for Eastern Province at the age of 16, during his school's summer vacation. Playing against Border, he scores 54 in the only batting chance he gets in a nine-wicket win. A legspinner by then, he takes 2 for 52 in Border's second innings.

January 28, 1961

Youngest South African to score a hundred

During a four-wicket win against Transvaal B, at 16, he becomes the youngest South African to score a first-class century, a record that stays until Daryll Cullinan takes it away in 1983-84.

March 15-18, 1963

Youngest South African double-centurion

Against an International Cavaliers attack featuring Richie Benaud and Graham McKenzie, Pollock, at 19, becomes the youngest South African to score a double-century. Benaud calls the effort "magnificent".

1963-64

First Test tour

Scores 25 on Test debut in Brisbane, followed by centuries in his third and fourth Tests, in Sydney and Adelaide, becoming the youngest South African to score a Test hundred, a record that still stands. In Adelaide, he shares a South African third-wicket partnership record of 341 with Eddie Barlow.

1969-70

Success before isolation

Pollock's career progression has the makings of that of an all-time great when he takes on Australia in the home series, not knowing it will be his last Test series. He manages to break Jackie McGlew's record for the highest score by a South African when he scores 274 in Durban, another record that Cullinan would go on to break. At 26, his career is about to come to an end because of South Africa's sporting isolation in response to apartheid.

April 1971

Protest against apartheid

Takes part in a protest against the government, along with Barry Richards and Mike Procter among others. During a match to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the formation of the Republic of South Africa, the players from both teams walk off after one ball, issuing a joint statement that supports South African Cricket Association's application to invite non-whites to tour Australia, and also the idea that merit be the only criterion on the cricket field.

October 19, 1974

A-Lister

While out of international cricket, Pollock continues playing unofficial Tests against breakaway teams and also domestic cricket. Playing in the Gillette Cup one-day competition, he scores the first List A double-century, 222 not out against Border in a 60-over match. It remains the highest individual List A score until Ali Brown surpasses it in 2002.

1977

Further disappointment

News leaks that along with Barry Richards, Mike Procter and Eddie Barlow, Pollock has signed one of Kerry Packer's "lucrative contracts to play an eight-week series of matches throughout the world". Pollock, however, is not allowed to play because he is a South African and has zero county experience, which means he doesn't qualify as a "professional" cricketer. His three-year contract is paid out in full.

1978-79

New first-class experience

Aged 34, changes teams, from Eastern Province to Transvaal, a move many think will enrich and extend his playing days.

March 13-16, 1987

All good things come to an end

Calls time on a 27-year first-class career during which he scores 20,940 runs and 64 centuries. In his final match, against Western Province, he scores 4 and 63 in a draw that wins Transvaal the Castle Currie Cup.

January 3, 2000

South Africa's best

Is named South Africa's Cricketer of the 20th Century by a panel appointed by the United Cricket Board. Says: "When you consider who did not make the final 10 and the stature of the other players who did make it, well it was a special thrill. I was quite relaxed and happy to be included in the final 10."

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